Freelancing as we know it is being threatened by changes to labor law. If you’re in California, you’re already aware of AB5. Other states already
Many businesses are going through a reset right now, and creative freelance business owners are no different. As we emerge from a state of lockdown
Freelancers are a company of one, but we need feedback, input, and help. You’re more likely to hit your goals and enjoy success when you work with a mentor. Here’s what to look for and how to work with someone.
Did you know that most freelancers struggle with time management, project management, and getting things done — on time? With margin? We deal on a
While, as a freelancer, you absolutely must focus on your business and develop killer business skills, you also need to guard and nurture your creativity.
It’s affirming when clients refer new business to you. Their recommendations are a testament to your expertise and experience. For a long time referrals alone
As with cars, your freelance business needs regular tune-ups to ensure smooth performance and prevent breakdowns. If you’re the owner of an independent creative services
As the owner of an independent creative business, you are responsible for absolutely everything creatively and managerially. The whole thing’s sitting on your shoulders, and
You’ve landed a highly-desired big name client and they’ve sent you a purchase order. What is a purchase order, and how do you work with
One thing that’s great about flying solo as a freelancer is all the freedom you have in who you work with, where, when and how
The difference between discounting your services for Client A and charging Client B full price is one of positioning and communication. Both of these are value propositions.
How do you measure success? How long will it take to succeed as a freelancer? This is a common question among freelancers, and I believe
Has something like this ever happened to you? You have a solid contract with your client that includes payment terms and penalties for late payment.
When I first learned about the power of change orders it changed everything in my workflow. When I implemented the practice, I actually began looking
A mark up, also known as percentage over cost, is one way you can increase your freelance revenue. Marking up is a common business practice,
One thing I struggled with in the past as an independent creative is money. I have a lot of experience with the all too common
The European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation goes into full effect on May 25, 2018. The internet and blogdom are all abuzz about getting
Did you know that your creative business thrives because of how you do business and not because of the quality of your work or your
If you’re an independent creative professional, you probably already have a website showcasing your amazing portfolio. Portfolios are a necessary component of any freelancer’s website,
I’m a sole proprietor working with businesses and organizations, and so, like you, I had some concern about how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs
Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut with your pricing? Do you want to charge more per hour or per project, but for
Mark Zuckerberg wants Facebook to be a place for people to connect and engage. His post on January 11, 2018 decried the plethora of public
It’s widely acknowledged that there is a direct correlation between reading and success. But it’s not the amount you read, it’s what you read. There’s
Every business needs regularly-scheduled tune-ups. Just like with automobile maintenance, tune-ups keep things running smoothly. They’re most effective in maintaining performance when they’re done regularly.
Planning is necessary for any business owner. Going through an end-of-year assessment in order to set up for the next can lead you into more
From the Freelance Road Trip mailbag: A Freelance Road Trip (FRT) member shared an experience with a non-paying client. The member gave me permission to
Successful freelancing is a matter of finding the right clients in the right places for the right reasons. Every client you take on affects your
Successful soloism is about 80% mindset and 20% mechanics. I’ve learned from experience that you can get the mechanics right, but still not be thinking
On his Dear Design Student blog on Medium, Mike Monteiro, design director at Mule Design, author and speaker, discusses designers and their ethics. He addresses
I’ll get to it when I’m ready. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of planning to get something done and then putting it off until
Creative freelancers invest time and effort carefully crafting brands for their clients. In regard to their own brands, they often come up short. Creatives should
So you have a brand-new shiny client that you’re excited to be working with. You’re looking forward to helping them achieve their goals. They’ve accepted
Building a business requires connection with people: prospective clients, colleagues, mentors, customers, and sometimes even family members. When we connect, we share information, ideas and
Art and design students focus on developing their portfolios during the final terms of their education. The portfolio is the most important tool when entering
Because pretty much everything runs on design and other forms of visual communication, the role of the visual communicator (designer, illustrator, photographer) is more in
I recently read Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, in which the author, Cal Newport, makes the case for engaging in sdeliberate, uninterrupted
You can get more out of a creative review than just a go-ahead to move to the next phase of the project. In coming together
If you want to be successful, you need to be influential. Influence can be positive or negative, and everyone has influence. The key for success
Q: As a freelancer, do I need a marketing plan or can I just wing it? A: Indeed, you do need a marketing plan. Marketing
When you’re in business, you use social media differently than you do personally. I was an early adopter on many social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook
When you work project-to-project, you can experience inconsistencies in your schedule and revenue flow. One way to mitigate those gaps is with retainer agreements. These
As I write this article I’m in the middle of a contract negotiation involving copyright and licensing of one of my character designs. I worked with
The first 3 1/2 months of the year are known in the US as tax season. If you are an independent creative professional, that means you
A long time ago in a faraway place called Pasadena, CA, I sat in a classroom and heard my instructor say, “You can’t sit around
I keep a Don’t-Do list. I spend most of my efforts on my to-do lists, agendas, and getting things done, but a few years ago I
Early in my freelance journey I joined a business networking group through my chamber of commerce for the purpose of generating leads and referrals. Networking groups
Q: As a freelancer, is it worth having business listings like Yelp and YP? A: It depends upon what directories you choose and why you choose
A photographer is still in school full time but is already establishing connections for professional work. She is purchasing cameras, lenses and equipment she will use